Brexit? All I want for Christmas is social care's green paper says care boss

The boss of a care home group is demanding Theresa May’s government clarify its plan for adult social care by hurrying up with the publication of its green paper, as drama over Brexit threatens to oust the PM from office.

While Prime Minister Theresa May prepares to woo the nation with her deal and give Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn a dressing down in a live TV Brexit debate, Donna Briggs, the head of Springhill Care Group, wants the PM to give the country a clue about what the future plan is for social care.

Donna Briggs, the managing director of Springhill Care Group, which has three care homes in Bristol, Accrington and Skelmersdale, said: “We along with other providers need to know what we are dealing with for the short and longer term.

“We can only plan based on what information we know to provide the relevant services being demanded from a growing ageing population, and this delay affects everyone including our residents and our staff.”

A green paper on the future of adult social care as the government promised "to ensure that the care and support system is sustainable in the long term” is intended to meet the needs of millions of elderly and disabled people, but its recommendations for new funding has been repeatedly delayed. After being postponed in the summer of 2017 and again last Christmas, it was expected before this year's summer recess of Parliament before being postponed again until this autumn. The PM recently promised MPs, the green paper would arrive by the end of this year.

Ms Briggs is one of many care providers who have been repeatedly dismayed by Springhill Care Group, which offers nursing care, dementia care and end of life care, previously submitted written evidence to the Public Accounts Committee.

The care home group set out a case for greater awareness of career opportunities within the care sector, how a more joined-up NHS and social care network would reduce hospital admissions and the need for increased funding for care workforce development.

Ms Briggs added: “Developing the skills of our workforce is crucial and a part of Springhill’s commitment to providing the best in care but we need to understand what we are dealing with for the future.”